Hello all,
If all goes to plan, I'll take over the Journal after the next issue (the last that Grahame Hedges will be editing).
To that end, may I ask for your help?
This forum is a tremendous source of wonderful ideas and inspiring modelling. It would be great to see some of that shared with the N Gauge Society.
If writing an article, or even sending along some photos with brief captions, sounds appealing, please let me know. Experience of writing is not needed -- I see part of my job very much as helping new writers, and will do my best to work with potential writers to help them polish their articles.
Remember, the Journal isn't just about beautiful layouts. Modelmaking is important, especially articles from beginners who have tackled some project successfully and want to share their tips and challenges. Articles about railways and railway operation can be good too if they inspire layouts or more realistic operation!
Grahame leaves big boots to fill, so I'm not even going to try. My aim is simply to be a background helper that makes it easier for Society members to share they thoughts with the whole membership.
Cheers, NeMo
Congratulations and thanks for volunteering NeMo! :beers:
Hear, hear, well done.
I have absolutely nothing that I can contribute sadly, but I wish you luck!
I guess you didn't step backwards when they asked for a volunteer to step forwards... Good luck...
Sadly It'll be a long time before I have my article ready.. It will be a long time before I finish the article being modelled..
Congratulations and good luck with it NeMo.
My congratulations, i'm sure you'll do a sterling job :thumbsup:
That is one huge job you've taken on there, NeMo. Having edited just a small newsletter, I have some inkling of what is involved.
In this light, you have my utmost admiration and respect for volunteering for the position.
All the very best with your new endeavour.
Congratulations and best of luck NeMo!
Congratulations and thank you NeMo.
I have a follow up article on motorising Oxford Borismasters part written, and planning to submit one on Magnorail when I have thought through how best to present it.
Quote from: Atso on April 04, 2019, 11:23:37 AM
Congratulations and best of luck NeMo!
Seconded!
Well done for volunteering NeMo. I'm sure that you'll do a great job, and like anything, I imagine it will seem daunting and very hard work to start with until a few issues are under your belt.
I hope members on here will be very helpful with articles and photo's. I remember members saying that articles that they'd sent in the past hadn't appeared, so perhaps they could be sent to you in the future?
Good luck with your new role. :)
Quote from: Tank on April 04, 2019, 12:46:44 PM
I remember members saying that articles that they'd sent in the past hadn't appeared, so perhaps they could be sent to you in the future?
Absolutely. If someone wants to send me their articles again, they'd be more than welcome to do so. For now, PM me here, and I'll pass along the contact details.
Cheers, NeMo
Congrats on the role and thank you for volunteering. It will be nice to have a slightly more forum friendly editor. I have written a couple of pieces in the past for the NGS and other magazines but am not modelling currently. I could write up my layout plan and describe the planning process. I will have a think and contact you direct at some point.
All the best Neale, perhaps the start of something big for you (and I don't mean OO)
May I add my congratulations as well, Having had 3 articles published in the journal, when I finish my next project, I will endeavour to send another
All the best
Alex
That's excellent news, Neale.
Thank you very much for undertaking this role.
Even as non-member of the society, I understand the importance of this post to our hobby.
All best wishes for every success.
John
Congratulations on your new job, I suppose the first question would be A5 or A4 ?, which one do you prefer?..
Quote from: Tonye on April 04, 2019, 02:44:26 PM
Congratulations on your new job, I suppose the first question would be A5 or A4 ?, which one do you prefer?..
No strong opinions.
I'm happy to hear what others think, though!
Cheers, NeMo
A5 for me. I couldn't bear having years of A5 Journals and then A4 appearing.......the shelf would look odd! :D
Congratulations! I joined the N Gauge Society last year and really look forward to the magazine popping through the letterbox every couple of months.
I have several articles I could send in (my layout and some building projects/signals etc..), but I only have my camera phone, which I'm not sure is good enough for the pics...
I'd be quite happy to continue with A5 journals.
my preference is for A4 journals.
Bravo, Neale (Neil??). Huge respect for stepping up to the plate.
I've done a couple of articles for the forum but really don't think they're good enough for the NGS Journal. By mention of the Journal, I'd prefer remaining at A5 as I'm damned sure my postie would fold an A4 version :worried:
Maybe a poll here/RMWeb etc might give a better clue but the NGS 'Board' might have different ideas going by comments in the latest edition :uneasy:
Good luck Neal you'll need it editing a group/society mag is no easy job.
Well done and thank you for stepping forward.
Congratulations, or at least well done, on stepping up to fill Graham's place. I would have to say don't try to replicate Graham's excellent efforts. You must stamp your own mark. The Journal is an important source of information and inspiration to me, now my only regular magazine - and I have been a member of NGS since 1984. I agree a mix of layout descriptions and what I might broadly call modelling and construction articles is ideal. A4 or A5 is a thorny issue. I have no reason to doubt Graham's feelings, which clearly have considerable support that A4 is easier to edit . But the Journal is not a mainstream magazine and I admit I find A5 very convenient, more manageable and easier on storage . Incidentally my own practice is to keep the Journal; complete for c 2 years, then cut out articles of special and applicable interest and store them in A5 ring binders. When I took a mainstream mag every month (stopped that 2 years ago) I did the same - using A4 lever arch files. Now to think what to write about. I have actually dismantled Portpatrick Town - after 12 years on the circuit it was in need of extensive overhaul - but there is Allanbrae my new contemporary Scottish offering, and I am working up ideas for a replacement for PP, steam/green diesel era. Severely worsening Essential Tremor means I am not doing the kit building and imaginative conversions I did a few years ago.
Huge :thankyousign: for stepping up and good luck!
I have no preference A4 or A5. Whatever is easiest. Let's not forget this is a voluntary post and I would imagine takes significant effort just to pull together a suitable variety of different articles in order to satisfy a diverse readership and meet publication deadline. I don't think we should throw up obstacles to simplifying the editor's task.
C. :)
Well volunteered, that man!
I much prefer A5, having learned the hard way that no postie worth their salt can resist A4 origami >:(
Congratulations.
I'm looking forward to a new style and approach.
Hi NeMo,
Thanks for volunteering.
I think we can call agree that Grahame has done a good job during his tenure, and in the tradition of each editor building on the work of the last I think he has given you a strong foundation to work with.
Good luck, and I will make sure I keep you updated with any modelling developments or projects I am involved in that may be of interest to the wider NGS community.
Cheers
Ben A.
(NGS VP)
Hi Neale,
I suppose I'd better start writing up my in progress wagon projects then!
Hope this all works out for you - I'm sure there will be others who will be able to help if need be.
Thanks
Phil H
Quote from: Newportnobby on April 04, 2019, 03:28:43 PM
I'm damned sure my postie would fold an A4 version :worried:
I have 2 monthly A4 sized railway magazines delivered by Royal Mail and the postie so far hasn't managed to ruin either.
Quote from: nookfield on April 04, 2019, 08:13:19 PM
Quote from: Newportnobby on April 04, 2019, 03:28:43 PM
I'm damned sure my postie would fold an A4 version :worried:
I have 2 monthly A4 sized railway magazines delivered by Royal Mail and the postie so far hasn't managed to ruin either.
But my postie folds all my post in half other than birthday/Christmas cards and the A5 Journal. Swap?
Quote from: Newportnobby on April 04, 2019, 08:39:20 PM
Quote from: nookfield on April 04, 2019, 08:13:19 PM
Quote from: Newportnobby on April 04, 2019, 03:28:43 PM
I'm damned sure my postie would fold an A4 version :worried:
I have 2 monthly A4 sized railway magazines delivered by Royal Mail and the postie so far hasn't managed to ruin either.
But my postie folds all my post in half other than birthday/Christmas cards and the A5 Journal. Swap?
My postie folds a lot of mail, especially as my letter box is sprung on the inside as well as the outside, but always manages to delivery magazines without any folding.
Should we have a survey of posties who fold or don't fold magazines to do decide on the format ?
Congrats on your new role, looking forward to seeing what you come up with.
Run a poll for A5/A4/no preference on this forum.
Quote from: Dorsetmike on April 04, 2019, 10:25:40 PM
Run a poll for A5/A4/no preference on this forum.
NeMo, please don't run a poll here, just make the decision yourself. This forum is not an NGS forum, any discussion of the magazine size should be done over on the groups.io forum dedicated to the NGS.
Norman
Congrats!
I can't make any promises, but I have a couple of half-baked ideas for Japan-related N gauge articles, in case that sounds of any interest.
Well done @NeMo (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=945) for stepping up into the void. 40+ replies in less than 24 hours shows that you are filling a very important and visible role.
I will certainly try and help you with a contribution or two and sincerely hope that other forum members accept your call to action - There are so many great ideas and projects highlighted on the forum which could easily be translated into great articles.
I also hope this gives an opportunity for the journal and the NGF to have a closer relationship. At best the previous editor kept the NGF at arms length, which seems to me to have been a missed opportunity.
In your many posts to the forum, I have discerned (and appreciated) your strong point of view. I hope you keep this philosophy in your new role and look forward to seeing your stamp on the direction the journal takes in the future.
Thanks again and best of luck.
Neale,
Well done for stepping up to the plate!
I don't know if this is helpful, or even if it can be done, but I am more than happy to proof read any documents for you.
I live in Queensland but that shouldn't pose a problem if document files can be moved around electronically.
Unfortunately I don't have a layout so I've not much to write about!
Let me know if my offer is of interest.
Cheers
Phil
I prefer A5, I receive 4 other clubs (2 sailing, 2 railway) magazines in A5 format so you are not alone.
If you go to A4 it will become thin and floppy giving the feel more of a news letter than a Magazine. It will "appear" to be of a lesser quality.
A5 reduces the risk of it being folded by the postie.
Personally, I like the A5 format. It tucks into my backpack easily, so I can read it while commuting on a train or bus. A4 magazines tend to get bashed about a bit.
But I can see advantages to A4, and Grahame has discussed these at length within the NGS.
As I say, I don't really have strong feelings either way, and as/when the rest of the committee feel the Journal needs resizing, I'd be happy to go along with them.
At the end of the day it's the content that matters, not the size of the magazine.
Cheers, NeMo
Good luck with it anyway, mate. I tend to think the format will become a secondary issue as the months go by! :thumbsup:
I second Chetcombe's post.
Well volunteered @NeMo (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=945), good luck in the new role.
Quote from: Tank on April 04, 2019, 02:59:16 PM
A5 for me. I couldn't bear having years of A5 Journals and then A4 appearing.......the shelf would look odd! :D
That was the 'reasoning' given by the chairman now president of our Musical Theatre society... It is now A4 as I do the layout and design and was frustrated by the constraints of A5... She has started a new shelf apparently :D
Quote from: Newportnobby on April 04, 2019, 08:39:20 PM
Quote from: nookfield on April 04, 2019, 08:13:19 PM
Quote from: Newportnobby on April 04, 2019, 03:28:43 PM
I'm damned sure my postie would fold an A4 version :worried:
I have 2 monthly A4 sized railway magazines delivered by Royal Mail and the postie so far hasn't managed to ruin either.
But my postie folds all my post in half other than birthday/Christmas cards and the A5 Journal. Swap?
Are you wanting in the size of your slot..?
All my A4 mags come through unfolded but the slot is wider than A4... maybe older ones are smaller?
Well done, Neale! Grahame may have been unafraid to stir up a bit of controversy, but there is no doubt he has improved the journal in many ways and I think you have a good platform to build on. You won't be able to please all of the people all of the time but I am sure you will do a great job. I've got one or two ideas for articles but my workrate is so slow at the moment it's anyone's guess when you might get them!
A4/A5? I really don't care, although A5 is easier to read in the bath... (does that count as a valid reason?) The content is the important thing in my view, not the format.
Very best of luck, Neale. I'm sure you will get a lot of support from the Forumistas!
Cheers,
Chris
Quote from: Papyrus on April 05, 2019, 12:40:05 PM
A4/A5? I really don't care, although A5 is easier to read in the bath... (does that count as a valid reason?) The content is the important thing in my view, not the format.
Aha, another bath reader. Though I also read A4-sized magazines in the bath too, so it's not a deal breaker.
A5 for me, I find it a handy size. My O gauge Gazette is A4 and sometimes gets damaged in the post.
I've been meaning to try my hand at another article since my Suitcase layout one got published. Just done a big move to Spain, so still organising a bit here but once my modelling tools are unpacked I'll see if I can come up with something.
Quote from: railsquid on April 05, 2019, 01:42:16 PM
Quote from: Papyrus on April 05, 2019, 12:40:05 PM
A4/A5? I really don't care, although A5 is easier to read in the bath... (does that count as a valid reason?) The content is the important thing in my view, not the format.
Aha, another bath reader. Though I also read A4-sized magazines in the bath too, so it's not a deal breaker.
I used to read in the bath but I now need glasses to read and they get all steamed up.
Or does someone know a neat trick to stop glasses steaming up?
As for A4/5, it matters not to me.
Quote from: port perran on April 05, 2019, 02:55:05 PM
Or does someone know a neat trick to stop glasses steaming up?
A drop of washing up liquid wiped on and then off the lenses, (also works on bathroom mirrors!). :thumbsup:
As for reading in the bath, that is what baths were invented for isn't it! ???
Quote from: dannyboy on April 05, 2019, 03:00:15 PM
Quote from: port perran on April 05, 2019, 02:55:05 PM
Or does someone know a neat trick to stop glasses steaming up?
A drop of washing up liquid wiped on and then off the lenses, (also works on bathroom mirrors!). :thumbsup:
As for reading in the bath, that is what baths were invented for isn't it! ???
I shall try that later :thumbsup:
The size of the magazine was the catalyst I think it fair to say for Grahame knocking it on the head. He wanted A4.
Personally I am with the A5 brigade.
Quote from: Fardap on April 05, 2019, 11:55:42 AM
Quote from: Newportnobby on April 04, 2019, 08:39:20 PM
Quote from: nookfield on April 04, 2019, 08:13:19 PM
Quote from: Newportnobby on April 04, 2019, 03:28:43 PM
I'm damned sure my postie would fold an A4 version :worried:
I have 2 monthly A4 sized railway magazines delivered by Royal Mail and the postie so far hasn't managed to ruin either.
But my postie folds all my post in half other than birthday/Christmas cards and the A5 Journal. Swap?
Are you wanting in the size of your slot..?
A rather personal question but the answer is 'No'. Strangely junk mail from Virgin arrives unbent so I can only conclude my postie has a beneficial (to him) arrangement with Beardy Man ::)
Quote from: dannyboy on April 05, 2019, 03:00:15 PM
Quote from: port perran on April 05, 2019, 02:55:05 PM
Or does someone know a neat trick to stop glasses steaming up?
A drop of washing up liquid wiped on and then off the lenses, (also works on bathroom mirrors!). :thumbsup:
As for reading in the bath, that is what baths were invented for isn't it! ???
Martin, what have you been reading in the bath to make your glasses steam up?
Quote from: trkilliman on April 05, 2019, 04:14:09 PM
Quote from: dannyboy on April 05, 2019, 03:00:15 PM
Quote from: port perran on April 05, 2019, 02:55:05 PM
Or does someone know a neat trick to stop glasses steaming up?
A drop of washing up liquid wiped on and then off the lenses, (also works on bathroom mirrors!). :thumbsup:
As for reading in the bath, that is what baths were invented for isn't it! ???
Martin, what have you been reading in the bath to make your glasses steam up?
Ha Ha !!!
You'd be surprised.
Congratulations NeMo, a big job to take on. I'd better tidy up and sort out some of my forum tutorials if they're of any use.
I must admit that when I was editor of the newsletter I mentioned earlier, the hardest task was getting folk to write stuff for publication. Like Grahame Hedges, I would often end up providing a lot of the material myself.
Quote from: Bealman on April 05, 2019, 10:46:03 PM
I must admit that when I was editor of the newsletter I mentioned earlier, the hardest task was getting folk to write stuff for publication. Like Grahame Hedges, I would often end up providing a lot of the material myself.
Hopefully won't be a problem this time around, with all the fine ladies and gentlemen of this forum for me to draw upon most enthusiastically!
Cheers, NeMo
Quote from: Bealman on April 05, 2019, 10:46:03 PM
I must admit that when I was editor of the newsletter I mentioned earlier, the hardest task was getting folk to write stuff for publication. Like Grahame Hedges, I would often end up providing a lot of the material myself.
I would hope that with the new unbiased editor that we'll not need to go that route - it's well documented that content has been submitted and never published and I myself offered material to the NGS in form of writing up stuff on my workbench thread here and was completely ignored. Likely due to previous unsavoury dealings with the editor....
...as such I'm glad we have new. I'd hope that the content by the editor (in some cases in the last few years nearly 1/2 the journal, as well as recycled content from his other magazine) can reduce, and more contributors can instead diversify the content. Not that I'm against good content by the editor of course!
In terms of the A4/A5 thing - I have to say in my time as an NGS member this has been one of the most embarrassing things the society has gone through - a decision (rightly or wrongly) was made, so I wish folks would please just accept it - the sour grapes (editorial in latest journal is positively childish) and unending chatter about it that carry on really need stopped.
It's not constructive, or good for the image of the society.
Cheers,
Alan
P.s. Really glad to see a full page ad for this forum in the latest journal - at long last the bias against it seems to have lifted!
Good luck with it NeMo!
I find nowadays that if I have stuff to share I tend to do so on this forum leaving nothing left for other "publications", (apart from a couple of "flagship" whole layout articles in RM where the main benefit is professional photography). Publishing on the forum also has the advantage that you can post video.
The question is, whether you could just lift material from the NGF into the NGJ or would that be a waste of time, with most people already having seen it? If so then I guess you need to persuade people to hold back on contributing their best stuff to the forum!
Cheers Jon :)
Reply #63, Jon/PostModN66;
I would say that there is nothing wrong with posting an article and then also submitting it to the 'Journal' and/or your chosen modelling magazine/publication. Perhaps one may need to change the emphasis, possibly adding or removing some text for the different markets, but the main article would still be valid. Professional photography is a great help, but Peco have allowed use of their photos in the 'Journal' provided credit is given.
I think that all three serve potentially different markets; not all Society members are members of this Forum, and v/v; and commercial publications have yet another readership, where articles may not necessarily be related to the scale the author writes about originally, nor the scale the reader models in.
Certainly I have written or co-written articles which have appeared in both the 'Journal' and 'Modeller', both in the past and more recently; the then-editor of 'Modeller' said that it was for a different market, and encouraged me/us to write the articles with both markets in mind.
At the end of the day, it is up to the editor(s) of whichever magazine you submit an article to who will decide whether to publish or not.
Martyn
If using the same material is OK, then a great idea for editors - of any publication - would be not to wait for submissions, but to find stuff they like from forums and just lift it; getting author's permission probably!! :D
I would be very happy to be contacted to be asked for my existing photos and text to be used; I am unlikely to submit anything proactively at the moment unless it is something I am really proud of!!
Cheers Jon :)
Quote from: Dr Al on April 06, 2019, 11:25:42 AM
I would hope that with the new unbiased editor that we'll not need to go that route - it's well documented that content has been submitted and never published and I myself offered material to the NGS in form of writing up stuff on my workbench thread here and was completely ignored...
Please do get in touch! I'm definitely keen on receiving your articles, given the nature and quality of the modelling that you do. :thumbsup:
When it comes to bias, I confess to having a fondness for BR blue stuff -- before he stepped down, Grahame and I had begun working on a BR blue-era supplement for the Journal after the fashion of the other supplements seen from time to time. I've written all the content and scanned in the photos -- but I am very keen on not being seen as using the Journal for my own benefit, so sadly will probably have to let that sit on the side for now! :doh:
Cheers, NeMo
I was thinking along the same lines as others have said - use the stuff that we have contributed here, especially the tutorials. Ive only done one tutorial, and I'd be most pleased if it was deemed good enough for the journal. Its here https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=3813.msg43148#msg43148. (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=3813.msg43148#msg43148.)
I wrote this article some time ago, and although its old its still relevant. I guess with it being quite old, it may not be known to forum members. And as others have pointed out, NGS members aren't necessarily forum members.
One thing that I was wondering about; in the last journal (or was it the one before that?) the previous editor was asking for articles explaining how layouts had been constructed. This is in direct contradiction to the advice Steve Flint gave me when writing the article for the Modeller - he wanted a description of why we modelled what we did, and how the layout operated rather than how we constructed it. I was wondering if @NeMo (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=945) had an opinion on the type of articles he would like submitting?
Cheers
Kirky
Quote from: kirky on April 06, 2019, 05:20:42 PM
I was thinking along the same lines as others have said - use the stuff that we have contributed here, especially the tutorials....
While I do agree there's a lot of great stuff here, I can't simply cut-and-paste it into the Journal.
For a start, if the Journal doesn't contain enough original stuff, people may be turned off the Society. So we really do want original material in every issue. Please can I encourage those who have written tutorials and articles to contact me via PM and direct me to the relevant thread. If it looks suitable (and I imagine most would be!) then we can discuss writing the actual article.
Presentation is different too. The quality of photos has to be higher, and the text would ideally be more an extended, longer form writing. What we write here is often chatty, whereas an article can be more carefully written. The writer needs to explain each step because there isn't really an opportunity for the reader to ask a follow up question.
So far as construction vs operation goes -- both please! There's an important place for articles showing how layouts are put together. Jobs like ballasting, wiring and especially track-laying never seem to get old because they're so difficult to do well. There's got to be dozens of different ways to make scenery, and again, each of these will be new to some readers. Personally, the articles that explain "easy wins" are the ones I love -- inexpensive, effective ways to do something new, like make trees, lay roads, or create water features.
But the operational articles are good too. I think those work best if they're inspirational. I tend to find the ones that spend three paragraphs describing the history of some imaginary branchline a little self indulgent (sorry!), but I appreciate others enjoy the fan fiction aspect, so certainly don't bother me. Again, speaking personally, I really enjoy the ones based in reality, describing how actual railways work, and making it clear how the model reflects reality (even if the layout is an imaginary place).
Really, what I'd suggest to people is that they write what they enjoy reading. If they like articles about the real railways and have some photos they've snapped on a commute or visiting a preserved line, then that could be turned into something inspirational. If they like reading about kit-building, then write something about a kit that amused you or stretched your skills. Whatever!
I don't think it's my job to say what I do or don't like, and I promise never to make choices based on personal preferences. My job (as I see it) is simply to edit the articles, get them polished as needed, and prepare them for the professional publisher.
Cheers, NeMo
Good luck with the job Nemo ! I am sure you will do well in the job. I never had a problem with Graham Hedges as the editor and the magazine definitely improved under his guidance. I have read a few members have had problems before with Graham, but I think this is best forgotten now, lets move on. I am not getting into the argument over A4/A5 either, a decision was made.
I myself have no idea how to write a article regarding doing anything. I just have fun making stuff and trying different ideas and quite often do write ups on my post how I did it, If it's of help to some others that is good.
Once again good luck with the job, it's nice to have somebody who knows this forum.
Very glad to have found this thread as I was worried about who would take on the journal.
Congratulations and thanks to @NeMo (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=945)
I have had two pieces published and am in the midst of writing a third. I am afraid there is a sticky noise making thingy (they tell me it's called a "baby") in the house taking up rather a lot of my time, so no promises on timescales other than saying I will do it.
Have ideas for other articles as well.
Skyline2uk
Hello again Nemo, and congratulations.
Have you yet taken on the 'Journal' editor email address yet (journal@ngaugesociety.com)?
If not, how would you like to be contacted until you do?
Haven't anything at present, but Southerngooner and I have something which may fit.
Martyn
Quote from: martyn on April 07, 2019, 09:20:55 AM
Hello again Nemo, and congratulations.
Thank you!
Quote from: martyn on April 07, 2019, 09:20:55 AM
Have you yet taken on the 'Journal' editor email address yet (journal@ngaugesociety.com)?
Still goes to Grahame. He's Editor for at least the next issue.
Quote from: martyn on April 07, 2019, 09:20:55 AM
If not, how would you like to be contacted until you do?
You can PM me here, and we'll take it from there!
Cheers, NeMo
Quote from: NeMo on April 06, 2019, 02:24:23 PM
Please do get in touch! I'm definitely keen on receiving your articles, given the nature and quality of the modelling that you do. :thumbsup:
...I am very keen on not being seen as using the Journal for my own benefit, so sadly will probably have to let that sit on the side for now! :doh:
Well done on taking up the post NeMo and the very best of luck. I for one am very much looking forward to your first issue.
As for not wanting to publish your own material, you may find you have to simply to fill in the odd gap. I certainly won't mind though. Your material in the journal has always been interesting.
I'll be sure to have a go at putting together a piece or two for the journal over the next few months. Can I also offer my services as a proofreader if you need one? It's part of my day job anyway, and reading unproofread text in published material is always akin to torture for me.
A5, please, for what it's worth. My A5-height journal storage box will look odd with A4 poking up by twice the height.
All the best
Peter
Well done, @NeMo (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=945), for taking the reins of the Journal. The usual comment about having big shoes to fill, etc, etc. is implied.
I have no beef either way about the size of the Journal, but have a comment about the packaging it comes in. With the current hoo-hah about using plastic packaging, etc, is it intended that something a bit more environmentally-sympathetic is used to enclose the Journal and associated paperwork for mailing?
Apart from that, good luck and good editing... :)
Quote from: talisman56 on April 08, 2019, 06:11:47 PM
With the current hoo-hah about using plastic packaging, etc, is it intended that something a bit more environmentally-sympathetic is used to enclose the Journal and associated paperwork for mailing?
A very fair point. I'll be sure to mention it!
In the meantime, I do believe you can take polythene of this type and recycle it alongside plastic carrier bags. The Waitrose in Berkhamsted certainly has a recycling caddy thing for them, and I'm sure other supermarkets may do so too.
Cheers, NeMo
Quote from: Bealman on April 05, 2019, 10:46:03 PM
I must admit that when I was editor of the newsletter I mentioned earlier, the hardest task was getting folk to write stuff for publication. Like Grahame Hedges, I would often end up providing a lot of the material myself.
I've been in a similar position when I edited a magazine for a car club for several years. I did have a forum full of information that could be raided for information and articles but had to strike a balance otherwise I was criticized for using articles in the magazine which was freely available on a public forum, so why should members pay to re-read in print form? Naturally those same critics never sent anything fresh for publication so I had to get creative and write something instead.
I've been an NGS member for a year or so, and have enjoyed reading the Journal cover to cover every few months once it's popped through the letter box. I've never entered any online area of the NGS and oblivious to A4/A5Gate or any of the other stuff that goes on behind the scenes trying to run or put out the magazine.
There is a mix of photo quality but assumed that was down to the nature of the way articles were submitted and the Journal doesn't have a photographer to travel round the country for consistency like the shelf magazines can. There was an article in one of the recent Journals about Layout Photography so fair play to the out going editor too at least try and improve that area in some regard.
I wish NeMo all the best in taking on the Journal. I think you've got a very good publication to build on and look forward too seeing your Journal later in the year :thumbsup:
Congratulations NeMo! Every new editor has bought something to the journal that has, IMO, improved it. I am sure you will bring your own 'something' to the journal and help in its evolution! Grahame bought a lot of change to the journal, for the better mainly I think. I've been a member since 1988 and have seen the journal evolve from a pure black and white publication to partially colour, to full colour and eventually to how it is now. So thank you for volunteering. Good luck!